NORWICH, Vt. - The MCLA men's soccer team Friday had five players tally second half goals as they powered their way past Green Mountain College, 5-0, in the Norwich Cadet Classic.

 

The game marked the season opener for both clubs.

 

Following a scoreless first half in which MCLA outshot GMC, 15-4, the Trailblazers wasted little time in finding the net in the closing half. Tyler Vona converted a rebound off a Mitchell Candelet shot just 1:36 into the second half to break the ice. The Trailblazers quickly added to the lead in the 49th minute when Anthony Basile knocked home a Dylan Pereira feed for a 2-0 edge as MCLA gained total control.

 

Kwadwo Kusi took a Basile pass and converted in the 55th minute, while Romeo Grey and Chris Shea rounded out the scoring in the latter stages of the half to provide the 5-0 final margin.

 

Nolan Burke and Oscar Castro added assists for MCLA.

 

MCLA controlled the play in the second half as they held a distinct 17-2 shot advantage over the closing 45 minutes. The Trailblazers didn't allow a shot on net in the second half.

 

Matt Robinson stopped both first half shots he saw to earn the shutout victory. Griffin Shelor stopped 10 shots for GMC. The Trailblazers also held a 9-0 edge in corner kicks.

 

The Trailblazers will be back in action Saturday when they battle Johnson State in the round robin tournament format.​